Degree Title and Name:  Master of Science in Human and Consumer Sciences in Hospitality and Tourism

Program Name and Number:  Hospitality and Tourism – MS6359

Department/Unit:  Department of Human and Consumer Sciences

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall, Spring, Summer. Rolling admissions for any term; but students who need financial support must apply by March 15, since financial support is typically awarded in the fall semester for the entire year.

Program Overview:  The master’s program in Hospitality and Tourism (HT) in the Department of Human and Consumer Sciences offers both professional and academic preparation with an experiential as well as scholarly foundation for professionals seeking either industry positions or doctoral studies in the future. Students are required to have completed a basic hospitality course (comparable to RHT 1100 - Introduction to Hospitality) which will be required as prerequisite to program completion and must be completed during the first year of graduate study at Ohio University. Students may select either a thesis or non-thesis (professional project) option. Most full-time Master’s students complete the program in two years or less if no prerequisites were required.

Recommended concentration areas include, but are not limited to, consumer behavior, hospitality education, retail management, leadership and change, restaurant management, strategic marketing, service quality, service product innovation, and tourism.  Graduate students will be encouraged to do multidisciplinary research when appropriate. Students in consultation with and having approval from the major advisor may develop their own area of concentration to fulfill the program requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes: upon the completion of the studies, a student will be a confident and competent candidate for a doctoral program or middle or senior-level managerial position by achieving the following outcomes: 

1. Demonstrate the ability to make informed decisions.
2. Demonstrate the ability to effectively and efficiently problem solve.
3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
4. Demonstrate the ability to obtain, process, and analyze data.
5. Demonstrate the ability to plan, organize, prioritize, implement, and evaluate work projects.
6. Articulate and apply technical knowledge related to their job.
7. Demonstrate the ability to positively influence stakeholders in the industry.
8. Sustain a have high-level of intercultural competence.

Opportunities for Graduates: Graduates of the Hospitality and Tourism program may continue with doctoral studies, pursue teaching careers in post-secondary education, and enter industry careers with leading companies in the hotel, restaurant, and tourism industries.

Link to Program:  https://www.ohio.edu/education/human-consumer-sciences/hospitality-and-tourism

Graduation Requirements:  Students enrolled in a master’s program are required to complete a minimum of 30 semester hours in order to earn the degree.

1. Conferral of the degree requires at least a 3.0 grade point average.
2. Students enrolled in the professional paper program are required to complete 35 semester hours in order to earn the degree.
3. All students in the Hospitality and Tourism program must complete either a thesis or professional project as part of their degree requirements.
4. All students must submit a proposal including the concept and plans for the thesis or professional project. 
5. All students are required to orally (e.g., Oral Examination) defend the results of their thesis or professional project.
6. The expected time to graduate if studying full time is two years.
7. No qualifying or comprehensive exam is required as a requirement of the program.  

Culminating Experience:  Students may select either a thesis (5 credit hours) or non-thesis (professional project) option (3 credit hours).

Admission Requirements:

Domestic students:  Prospective students must provide the following documents.

1. Original transcripts of all previous undergraduate or from degree granting academic work, with a minimum GPA of 2.7. To be considered original, transcripts must be reported directly from the alma mater.
2. At least three (3) letters of recommendation.
3. A personal statement with three to five pages, including study purpose, philosophy of learning, tentative fields of study or areas of specialization emphasis, and career goals. 
4. Resume.
5. Application fee.
6. Application deadlines: Rolling Admissions for any term; but students who need financial support must apply by January 15 since financial support is typically awarded in the fall semester for the entire year. SAlso see: http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/apply/index.cfm for other requirements.

International students:  Prospective students must provide the following documents.

1. Transcripts of all previous undergraduate or from degree granting academic work, with a minimum GPA of 2.7. Admission to Ohio University also requires transcripts of any academic work after the completion of the bachelor’s degree.
2. At least three (3) letters of recommendation.
3. A personal statement with three to five pages, including study purpose, philosophy of learning, and career goals. 
4. Tentative fields of study/areas of emphasis.
5. Minimum TOEFL/IELTS Scores

• Unconditional Admission with Eligibility for Funding
  - iBT - 80 Composite, all Section Scores of 17
  - IELTS – 6.5 Composite, all Bands 6.
  - PBT Paper TOEFL – 550 Total, Composition 5, all other Section Scores 52
• Unconditional Admission without Funding Eligibility
  - iBT - 70 Composite, Writing 17, all other Section Scores of 15
  - IELTS – 6.0 Composite, all Bands 6.0
  - PBT Paper TOEFL – 525 Total, Composition 4, all other Section Scores 50

6. Resume.
7. Application fee.
8. Application deadlines: Rolling Admissions for any term; but students who need financial support must apply by March 15 since financial support is typically awarded in the fall semester for the entire year. **Note: Tests older than two years are not accepted. 

Both domestic and international students can apply for financial assistance available in the department, college, and university. These include loans (usually for domestic students), graduate appointments (i.e., opportunities for Research Assistantships, Teaching Assistantships, and Graduate Assistantships), research grants and fellowships, and employment opportunities.  The deadline for applying for financial aid is January 15.

To keep full scholarship, students must keep a GPA 3.0 or above. A shortage will lead to reconsideration of the scholarship.

International Students:  This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.